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Flowering plants and their pollinators are declining in Himalayan orchards. Research can help determine the best way to manage these changes to support traditional sustainable agriculture.

India’s Kullu Valley in the Himalayan Mountains is famous for its apple orchards and farms. But flowering plants are disappearing, and the numbers of pollinators such as bees and butterflies are declining. Crops are suffering, and farmers must “hire out” bees to ensure pollination. These changes are threatening the region’s traditional agriculture and its financial stability.

Earthwatch, with the Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, is studying the impact of climate change on fragile plant species and the effect of decreased plant biodiversity on the numbers of pollinators in orchards and fields. This research will provide critical information about pollinators and which types of crops will grow well under new climatic circumstances and will also help farmers to select crops and wild plants that can attract pollinators.

You’ll work outdoors in the magnificent Himalayas, collecting vital data about plants growing at different elevations and the activities of butterflies and bees. Your findings will help to develop policies for agricultural management in the Indian Himalayan region.

Lead scientists

Accommodation and food

Why the research is important

Why the research is important

Data from these three locations will form the basis of a regional plan for managing sustainable agriculture in a changing climate.

Your observations of bees and butterflies will help provide key information about the effect of declining plant diversity on crop pollinators.

Because of its remarkable plant diversity, the Himalayan region is one of 34 official Global Biodiversity hotspots. The Kullu Valley, a major agricultural center, is located in this hotspot. Agriculture in the region is largely sustainable, but its success depends upon the pollination of crop plants by animals such as bees and butterflies.

Few studies have focused on the plant species of the region or on the effect of declining Himalayan plant biodiversity on pollinators. This lack of knowledge limits the ability of the Indian government to make meaningful policy decisions relative to sustainable agriculture and farming practices.

This Earthwatch project is part of a larger study of pollinators in the Indian Himalayas. Two additional studies in the Sikkim and Uttarakhand areas will explore the status of pollinators of cucumbers, mustard, and cardamom, which are major sustainable crops in the region. Data from these three locations will form the basis of a regional plan for managing sustainable agriculture in a changing climate.

Assess biodiversity in the Kullu Valley, with a focus on “bee flora”.

As an Earthwatch participant, you'll assess bees and butterflies in apple orchards. You’ll also record diversity of tree, shrub and herb; flowering, leafing and fruiting on marked apple trees; and identify and record bee flora to create a floral calendar for the region. In the lab, you’ll analyze soil samples and record and input data.

About the research area

Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India, Asia

The Kullu Valley, a delightful region in the northwest Indian Himalayas, is known as the Valley of the Gods. The valley spreads its charm on either side of the upper reaches of the River Beas. Kullu is also known for its historic Buddhist monasteries and temples, religious festivals, and hot springs.

When Spring arrives in April, the whole Kullu valley will be in blossom due to flowering of Apple flowers. Kullu is at its most colorful, with pink and white flowers in the valley while the higher slopes are shining with gorgeous red rhododendrons.

As the summer hits and most of India is going through extreme heat, the climate in Kullu is pleasant with daytime temperatures barely reaching 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). Wild and garden plants are flowering at this time.

As summer winds down in August, apples are in fruiting. It's rainy season, but Kullu falls in rain shadow areas, so there's not much rain. In October, the leaves fall, with Diwali (festival of color) and Dushera as exciting festivals.

You’ll spend most of your days with scientists collecting data in the forests and orchards. You'll help:

Search for bees and butterflies. Walk through apple trees and other crops to count pollinators and catch and identify the various species you see.

Track blossoming and pollinating. On your walks, you'll also record what trees, shrubs, and herbs are bearing leaves, flowers, fruit. This work will help create a schedule of peak pollinating times in the area.

Survey vegetation. You'll collecting plant samples while walking along a set path, and count and record the number of different plant species in a specified plots of land. and collecting soil samples at different field sites for laboratory analysis.

Sample soil. You'll collect samples at different locations and then help analyze their moisture content, acidity, and other properties important to farmers.

In the evenings you’ll visit local places of interest, such as Naggar Castle, Kais Monastery, temples, Kullu market, and the Roerich Museum, or visit with local farmers. On one day, you’ll visit the historic town of Manali, about 12 miles (19 kilometers) away. On the way, you’ll visit a fruit growers’ association to learn about how the region’s farmer federation works and the difficulties that local farmers face. On the final day, the scientists will give a presentation on how the data you’ve collected will be used, and you’ll visit a handicraft workshop.

Assess species diversity by recording tree, shrub, and herb leafing, flowering, and fruiting.

The Scientists

This project is a partnership between Earthwatch and the Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development.

MEET THE LEAD SCIENTIST

P.P.

Dhyani

Director, Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Himalayan and Environment Development

ABOUT P.P. Dhyani

Dr. Dhyani studies the relationship between plants and their environment, and his work has helped develop practices for restoring and conserving natural landscapes. He has three decades of experience researching plants in the Himalayas.

Accommodations and Food

Accommodations and Food

Panoramic views of the Himalayas

Local vegetarian cuisine

Comfortable rooms with balconies

You’ll stay in the Hotel Soham Chateaue de Naggar located in the peaceful village of Naggar in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. You’ll have a comfortable room featuring a balcony with a panoramic view of the Himalayas and the River Beas.

In the morning, you’ll be served tea in bed. You’ll eat breakfast and a buffet dinner in the hotel while enjoying a view of the Himalayas and the Kullu Valley. Depending on the distance to the research site and changes in the research schedule, you’ll eat lunch at the hotel or take a packed lunch to the research site. You’ll enjoy local vegetarian cuisine, which may include Indian breads, fruits, rice, vegetable dishes, dals (lentils), curries, salad, and pickles.

“Up Close and Personal with Pollinators!”

Butterflies and Bees in the Indian Himalayas was my second EarthWatch expedition and I hope to return for more. It was a terrific experience that allowed me to feel immersed in the local culture as well as meaningful science research. The expedition far exceeded all expectations. Dr. Mehta and his team were terrific hosts and shared their knowledge and expertise with passion. I highly recommend this expedition!

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Bernard Johnpulle|Friday, May 22, 2015

“One of the best expeditions”

My recent butterflies and bees expedition did go very well. Our seven member team got along well. Our hotel had the best view of the snow capped mountains. Every morning we wake up to the birds songs, and the stunning sun rise. Hotel staffs were very friendly. Food at the hotel was wonderful. Our two directors from India Pranam and Pradeep both are very knowledgable and very friendly. I would highly recommend this project to any one who is interested travelling abroad. I should also mention that the high light of the project was when we visited the villages. These villages are made out of hard wood and beautifully build. These homes should have been declared as heritage homes.People in the villages are very warm, happy and beautiful people.

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Leslie Uppinghouse|Monday, May 18, 2015

“Amazing Expedition”

This was my first time volunteering for Earthwatch and to India. The India Earthwatch team helped guide me through the region and the deep cultural traditions and practices. I give that team credit for making this trip so worthwhile. The accommodations were fantastic and the food was the best Indian food I had ever had. I never felt like a tourist and I do feel that again the Indian Earthwatch teams special attention to detail help immerse me into both the culture and my surroundings.

I would encourage anyone who has had no experience with surveys to give this one a shot. The researchers at the GB Pant Institute are patient and take the time to work with you on methods and results. They were good with helping me to understand the purpose of the research and what my and my team mates involvement adds to the study. It's definitely a team effort and again this helped me to feel useful and included. I came away inspired by what I saw in the orchards and forests. This is a complex area for climate study. It has a wide variety of plant and animal species and is an area where natural resources are highly valued and cared for by the people who live there. We all can gain from their experience in how well they have tended their land. It is unique in that this is a region that has not been decimated by consumption. There is great care by the people of Kullu to not over stress what they have. Seeing this has given me a scalable sense of hope in a difficult time.

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Amy Kvalseth|Saturday, May 16, 2015

“Become a "citizen-scientist" in India!”

The experience requires more that 1500 characters to review properly, but the highlight was the combination of scientific work with interaction with the villagers and experiencing the countryside. it was not a strenuous expedition with hiking, in fact, we were driven to the various sites,but it was an intense experience watching for, identifying, and counting certain pollinators; counting blossoms, buds and leaves on specified parts of apple tree branches; and identifying and counting plants on a forest floor. Identification of pollinators and flora was a joint effort as we learned in the field.

Accommodations were adequate with fabulous views, but cold in April, as rooms were not heated, except for a small space heater. Food was good Indian food, with an occasional nod to Western tastes with fish, French fries, or pizza.

The scientists, who accompanied us in the field, and the Earthwatch representative, with very accommodating. All were more than ready to educate and to answer all questions, including detailed ones on flora and pollinators posed to the scientists and ones on Indian culture and customs that the Earthwatch representative enthusiastically answered.

Flexibility is required as travel from Delhi to the Kullu Valley is weather and flight dependent, but for us, the change in plans that involved a lengthy drive and an extra overnight before reaching our goal only added to our experience of India. Obtaining the visa: frustrating, but well worth it! Try it!